Dussehra is an important festival of India, celebrated for 10 days. This festival is celebrated in different parts of India in their own unique ways. In some parts of India, the festival is synonymous with “Rama Lila” and Dussehra is celebrated in remembrance of the battle and victory of Lord Ram over the demon king Ravana. In some parts, it is celebrated in honour of the mother aspect of God who is the personification of Power, or ‘Shakti’. In all cases, the common theme is the battle and victory of Good over Evil based on a regionally famous epic or legend such as the Devi Mahatmya and Ramayana.
In the North, Dussehra is celebrated by staging Ram Leelas depicting various episodes from Ramayana. The particular episode of the struggle between Rama and Ravana is shown compulsorily. The victory over the demons is celebrated on the 10th day which is also called the Vijaya Dashami. Effigies of Ravana are erected and burnt on this day, to symbolize the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana, i.e. the triumph of Good over Evil.
It is during the Dasara festivities that Bhagawan organises the Veda Purusha Sapthaha Jnana Maha Yagnam for 7 days, concluding on the Vijaya Dashami Day, for the welfare of the entire Cosmos.
In this section of Festival Activities, we are going to learn about the different ways in which Dussehra is celebrated across India along with Interesting Activity Sheets for kids to work on.
